Guess that is why it is called collecting and not assembling or gathering.

I must start off by admitting that I'm hesitant with talking about specific dates that I'm searching for. In my paranoid and competetive little mind--if someone out there who is searching for the same coins that I am in the same grades, by them knowing that I also will be trying to acquire them-this gives them an advantage in sniping me or driving up the price at auction. Or worse yet, if a dealer knows that buyers have been patiently scouring auctions for years for these coins, then it gives them an advantage in price setting and profiting. Like I said, I'm probably just paranoid and sellers wouldn't really jack the price of scarce items that are being sought after.

Having said that, I'm going to mention the 2 issues/dates that are at or near the top of my coin "want list." They are a 1947 Walker Half in MS67 and a 1944 MS67FB mercury dime. I just haven't seen one anywhere--ebay, the 5 or 6 regular on-line auctions I peruse, seller websites with smaller inventory, Money marketplace or even PCGS dealer links--nothing.

Until this past few weeks------

First I saw, not one but TWO of the Mercury Dimes at auction. To keep it short, they were priced way too high for their average appearance. I already own an MS66FB and an MS67 of this date. Both of these coins cost me under $100 each and the thought of paying $1600 for a single point increase or complete separation of the center bands, well the coin better be VERY nice for this to happen. The thing is that I actually find my current coins more attractive. My 66FB has some nice rim toning and really bold strike--the 67FB for 16x the amount is somewhat ho-hum ( a technical 67FB.)

The 1947 Walker in MS67 will be the final upgrade for my walker short set. I don't plan on spending ridiculous premiums for a +plus+ grade coin, so the final coin that I can financially afford to upgrade is the 1947. In the recent Whitman/Baltimore show there was one at auction by S & B. I put a low-ball bid in which I knew would not stand. Secretly I hoped I'd be outbid because the truth is I didn't like the look of the coin with hap hazzard dark browns and even some black which almost looked moldy instead of tone. Luckily I was outbid because I would have used this as an expensive slot filler and been back to searching for another 1947 to replace it.

So there you have it. This is why it is collecting and not assembling sets--or hoarding--or gathering. I could have finished the assembly but that is not why I am a numismatist. I collect. Each of our tastes in series, the appeal to our eyes, some like tone and some like blast white, for some it's satiny luster and others love a frost finish--the point is, we collect. Because of this we discriminate according to our own preferences--and sometimes we have to pass.

The reverse of my < $100 1944 MS66FB

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